Oddish family all hiding from heavy rain
- Pic from Internet
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label gloom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gloom. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Standard Chartered axes 15,000 jobs, announces US$5.1b capital raise
Standard Chartered axes 15,000 jobs, announces US$5.1b capital raise
The job losses are part of a major restructuring that will cost around US$3 billion, the bank said.
POSTED: 03 Nov 2015 16:52 UPDATED: 03 Nov 2015 23:39
HONG KONG: Asia-focused British bank Standard Chartered said on Tuesday (Nov 3) it would axe 15,000 jobs and raise US$5.1 billion in capital after posting a "disappointing" third-quarter loss as it struggles to return to growth.
The job losses are part of a major restructuring that will cost around US$3 billion, the bank said. A Standard Chartered spokeswoman said she could not give any further details of the job cuts.
When contacted, a spokesperson from StanChart Singapore declined to say if the job cuts would affect Singapore operations.
More than half of the restructuring costs would come from potential losses on liquidating assets and businesses, the bank said in a statement.
The remaining charges would be from "potential redundancy costs" of a planned headcount reduction of 15,000, as well as goodwill write-downs, it added.
The bank reported an unexpected pre-tax quarterly loss of US$139 million compared with a US$1.53 billion profit a year earlier, in a performance described as "disappointing" by group chief executive Bill Winters.
Revenue was down 18.4 per cent to US$3.68 billion and impairment losses increased from US$536 million to US$1.23 billion for the quarter.
Shares in the bank plunged as much as 6.2 per cent on the Hong Kong stock exchange in the wake of the results and closed down nearly 3 per cent - its stock value has fallen around 30 per cent in the past year.
"I know a lot of people losing their jobs is not good, (but) from a business point of view, that's what they have to do," Hong Kong-based financial analyst Jackson Wong told AFP.
Wong said loan losses were the main reason the bank swung to a pre-tax loss, adding that it needed to "control costs and try to remodel (its) business".
RIGHTS ISSUE
Standard Chartered announced a plan to raise US$5.1 billion in capital through a rights issue, and a strategic review that raised its cost-cutting target to US$2.9 billion between 2015 and 2018.
It added it was refocusing on "affluent retail clients" rather than corporate and institutional banking businesses and would exit or restructure US$100 billion of assets.
"The business environment in our markets remains challenging and our recent performance is disappointing," Winters said in a statement filed to the Hong Kong bourse.
"The plans we have outlined today significantly reallocate resources to change fundamentally the mix of the group towards more profitable and less capital-intensive business," Winters said in a separate statement detailing the strategic plan.
Winters, former co-head of JP Morgan, took the reins from Peter Sands in June after shareholder calls for a boardroom cull following profit warnings.
The bank said in January it would axe 2,000 jobs around the world in 2015 in an attempt to make savings of US$400 million in a structural overhaul.
It had already shed 2,000 jobs in the three months before January.
Standard Chartered saw its profits plunge in the first half of this year, with net profit slumping 36.7 per cent in the six months to June compared to the period in 2014.
Bosses at the bank gave up their bonuses after profits fell by more than a third in 2014, sliding 37 per cent to US$2.51 billion.
- AFP/CNA/ec
- wong chee tat :)
The job losses are part of a major restructuring that will cost around US$3 billion, the bank said.
POSTED: 03 Nov 2015 16:52 UPDATED: 03 Nov 2015 23:39
HONG KONG: Asia-focused British bank Standard Chartered said on Tuesday (Nov 3) it would axe 15,000 jobs and raise US$5.1 billion in capital after posting a "disappointing" third-quarter loss as it struggles to return to growth.
The job losses are part of a major restructuring that will cost around US$3 billion, the bank said. A Standard Chartered spokeswoman said she could not give any further details of the job cuts.
When contacted, a spokesperson from StanChart Singapore declined to say if the job cuts would affect Singapore operations.
More than half of the restructuring costs would come from potential losses on liquidating assets and businesses, the bank said in a statement.
The remaining charges would be from "potential redundancy costs" of a planned headcount reduction of 15,000, as well as goodwill write-downs, it added.
The bank reported an unexpected pre-tax quarterly loss of US$139 million compared with a US$1.53 billion profit a year earlier, in a performance described as "disappointing" by group chief executive Bill Winters.
Revenue was down 18.4 per cent to US$3.68 billion and impairment losses increased from US$536 million to US$1.23 billion for the quarter.
Shares in the bank plunged as much as 6.2 per cent on the Hong Kong stock exchange in the wake of the results and closed down nearly 3 per cent - its stock value has fallen around 30 per cent in the past year.
"I know a lot of people losing their jobs is not good, (but) from a business point of view, that's what they have to do," Hong Kong-based financial analyst Jackson Wong told AFP.
Wong said loan losses were the main reason the bank swung to a pre-tax loss, adding that it needed to "control costs and try to remodel (its) business".
RIGHTS ISSUE
Standard Chartered announced a plan to raise US$5.1 billion in capital through a rights issue, and a strategic review that raised its cost-cutting target to US$2.9 billion between 2015 and 2018.
It added it was refocusing on "affluent retail clients" rather than corporate and institutional banking businesses and would exit or restructure US$100 billion of assets.
"The business environment in our markets remains challenging and our recent performance is disappointing," Winters said in a statement filed to the Hong Kong bourse.
"The plans we have outlined today significantly reallocate resources to change fundamentally the mix of the group towards more profitable and less capital-intensive business," Winters said in a separate statement detailing the strategic plan.
Winters, former co-head of JP Morgan, took the reins from Peter Sands in June after shareholder calls for a boardroom cull following profit warnings.
The bank said in January it would axe 2,000 jobs around the world in 2015 in an attempt to make savings of US$400 million in a structural overhaul.
It had already shed 2,000 jobs in the three months before January.
Standard Chartered saw its profits plunge in the first half of this year, with net profit slumping 36.7 per cent in the six months to June compared to the period in 2014.
Bosses at the bank gave up their bonuses after profits fell by more than a third in 2014, sliding 37 per cent to US$2.51 billion.
- AFP/CNA/ec
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, December 29, 2014
Jimmy Soul - If you wanna be happy
If you wanna be happy
For the rest of your life,
Never make a pretty woman your wife,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly girl to marry you.
A pretty woman makes her husband look small
And very often causes his downfall.
As soon as he marries her
Then she starts to do
The things that will break his heart.
But if you make an ugly woman your wife,
You'll be happy for the rest of your life,
An ugly woman cooks her meals on time,
She'll always give you peace of mind.
Don't let your friends say
You have no taste,
Go ahead and marry anyway,
Though her face is ugly,
Her eyes don't match,
Take it from me she's a better catch.
Say man.
Hey baby.
Saw your wife the other day.
Yeah?
Yeah, she's ugly.
Yeah, she's ugly but she sure can cook.
Yeah?. Okay.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Expect 5% annual transport fare hikes till 2016
Expect 5% annual transport fare hikes till 2016
Before slowing to 2.7% yearly increases.
"With an estimated 8% of accumulated fare revision not implemented in 2012/13, we expect significant fare hikes of 5% p.a. over the next three years, before reverting to a more normalised annual rise of 2.7%," said Maybank Kim Eng in its latest land transport sector report.
"Coupled with our long-term ridership forecasts of 2.3% p.a., we expect sector revenue to be 43% higher in 2018," it added.
The research firm further noted that the Downtown line (DTL) will open in three stages over the next four years.
The resulting traffic cannibalisation once DTL Stage 2 operates in 2016 would have a "significant" negative impact on SMRT, and Maybank believes the market has largely ignored this negative implication and expect growing concern in the years ahead.
"We see the current business models for the PTOs as unsustainable and expect imminent changes. We also expect a transition to the new rail financing (NRF) framework for all existing rail lines over the next few years," reckoned Maybank.
This led the research firm to prefer ComfortDelGro among land transport stocks, given the fact that it is "anchored by stable acquisition-led earnings growth from its overseas units" and that comfortDelGro's valuation remains more attractive than SMRT.
- wong chee tat :)
Before slowing to 2.7% yearly increases.
"With an estimated 8% of accumulated fare revision not implemented in 2012/13, we expect significant fare hikes of 5% p.a. over the next three years, before reverting to a more normalised annual rise of 2.7%," said Maybank Kim Eng in its latest land transport sector report.
"Coupled with our long-term ridership forecasts of 2.3% p.a., we expect sector revenue to be 43% higher in 2018," it added.
The research firm further noted that the Downtown line (DTL) will open in three stages over the next four years.
The resulting traffic cannibalisation once DTL Stage 2 operates in 2016 would have a "significant" negative impact on SMRT, and Maybank believes the market has largely ignored this negative implication and expect growing concern in the years ahead.
"We see the current business models for the PTOs as unsustainable and expect imminent changes. We also expect a transition to the new rail financing (NRF) framework for all existing rail lines over the next few years," reckoned Maybank.
This led the research firm to prefer ComfortDelGro among land transport stocks, given the fact that it is "anchored by stable acquisition-led earnings growth from its overseas units" and that comfortDelGro's valuation remains more attractive than SMRT.
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Canada central bank maintains key lending rate at 1%
Canada central bank maintains key lending rate at 1%
POSTED: 17 Jul 2013 10:57 PM
Canada's central bank on Wednesday held its key interest rate at 1.0 per cent, while downgrading its global economic forecast.
OTTAWA: Canada's central bank on Wednesday held its key interest rate at 1.0 per cent, while downgrading its global economic forecast.
The Bank of Canada pointed to a struggling European economy and a slowdown in China, offsetting recent gains in Japan and the United States
"Global economic growth remains modest," the bank said in a statement.
It also hinted it would maintain for the foreseeable future its near historic low rate, which has been in place since September 2010.
"As long as there is significant slack in the Canadian economy, the inflation outlook remains muted, and imbalances in the household sector continue to evolve constructively, the considerable monetary policy stimulus currently in place will remain appropriate," it said.
The bank noted that US economy is growing at a "moderate pace," with continued strengthening in private sector demand partly offset by the impact of fiscal consolidation.
Meanwhile Japan's recent stimulus has led to "a rapid recovery in economic growth," the bank said.
However, Europe's economy "remains weak" and economic growth in China and other emerging nations "has slowed, exerting downward pressure on global commodity prices."
"As a consequence, the bank has downgraded slightly its global growth forecast," it said, adding that the global economy is still expected to pick up in 2014 and 2015.
In Canada, growth is expected to be "choppy in the near term, owing to unusual temporary factors," the bank said.
Despite ongoing competitiveness challenges, Canadian exports are projected to "gather momentum," which in turn will boost confidence and lead to more business investment, it said.
The Canadian economy will also be supported by continued growth in consumer spending, while a bit less is expected to be spent on new homes.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 17 Jul 2013 10:57 PM
Canada's central bank on Wednesday held its key interest rate at 1.0 per cent, while downgrading its global economic forecast.
OTTAWA: Canada's central bank on Wednesday held its key interest rate at 1.0 per cent, while downgrading its global economic forecast.
The Bank of Canada pointed to a struggling European economy and a slowdown in China, offsetting recent gains in Japan and the United States
"Global economic growth remains modest," the bank said in a statement.
It also hinted it would maintain for the foreseeable future its near historic low rate, which has been in place since September 2010.
"As long as there is significant slack in the Canadian economy, the inflation outlook remains muted, and imbalances in the household sector continue to evolve constructively, the considerable monetary policy stimulus currently in place will remain appropriate," it said.
The bank noted that US economy is growing at a "moderate pace," with continued strengthening in private sector demand partly offset by the impact of fiscal consolidation.
Meanwhile Japan's recent stimulus has led to "a rapid recovery in economic growth," the bank said.
However, Europe's economy "remains weak" and economic growth in China and other emerging nations "has slowed, exerting downward pressure on global commodity prices."
"As a consequence, the bank has downgraded slightly its global growth forecast," it said, adding that the global economy is still expected to pick up in 2014 and 2015.
In Canada, growth is expected to be "choppy in the near term, owing to unusual temporary factors," the bank said.
Despite ongoing competitiveness challenges, Canadian exports are projected to "gather momentum," which in turn will boost confidence and lead to more business investment, it said.
The Canadian economy will also be supported by continued growth in consumer spending, while a bit less is expected to be spent on new homes.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Group of bloggers to protest against new MDA licensing framework
Group of bloggers to protest against new MDA licensing framework
By Teo Chia Leen
POSTED: 01 Jun 2013 9:32 PM
A group of bloggers said they will be organising a protest next week against the new licensing requirements imposed by the Media Development Authority on certain websites.
SINGAPORE: A group of bloggers said they will be organising a protest next week against the new licensing requirements imposed by the Media Development Authority on certain websites.
In a statement, the bloggers said the protest will take place on June 8, at the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park, at 4pm.
They have also organised a petition to call for the Ministry of Communications and Information to withdraw the licensing regime completely.
Beginning on Saturday, online news sites with a significant reach will be subjected to a bond of S$50,000, and will have to comply within 24 hours to MDA's direction to remove content found to breach content standards.
- CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Teo Chia Leen
POSTED: 01 Jun 2013 9:32 PM
A group of bloggers said they will be organising a protest next week against the new licensing requirements imposed by the Media Development Authority on certain websites.
SINGAPORE: A group of bloggers said they will be organising a protest next week against the new licensing requirements imposed by the Media Development Authority on certain websites.
In a statement, the bloggers said the protest will take place on June 8, at the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park, at 4pm.
They have also organised a petition to call for the Ministry of Communications and Information to withdraw the licensing regime completely.
Beginning on Saturday, online news sites with a significant reach will be subjected to a bond of S$50,000, and will have to comply within 24 hours to MDA's direction to remove content found to breach content standards.
- CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, January 7, 2013
SIA asks pilots to volunteer for unpaid leave
SIA asks pilots to volunteer for unpaid leave
Posted: 05 January 2013 1305 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines has asked its captains to volunteer for unpaid leave amid a global economic slowdown that has dented long-haul travel demand, the airline said Saturday.
The move came nearly a year after the company -- considered a bellwether for the full-service airline industry -- made a similar offer to its first officers.
The airline has also frozen its intake of cadet pilots as part of a slew of cost-cutting measures.
"Singapore Airlines (SIA) began offering voluntary no-pay leave to first officers in March last year and subsequently to captains who expressed interest," company spokesman Nicholas Ionides said in a statement emailed to AFP.
SIA has "a temporary surplus of pilots and are managing it through this scheme, which is entirely voluntary", Ionides said.
He added that "the surplus of captains is limited and we regard it as temporary".
SIA has more than 2,400 pilots -- mostly captains and first officers.
The global financial crisis had led to excess capacity and slower growth that anticipated, Ionides said.
"This voluntary scheme will enable us to address the short-term surplus, while at the same time provide staff with the opportunity to take leave for personal reasons should they wish to do so," he said.
SIA saw its net profit in the first-half of the current fiscal year ending March fall by 30 per cent year-on-year, weighed down by high fuel prices and weak demand in the travel and cargo markets.
This followed a 69 per cent plunge in net profit in the carrier's financial year ended March 2012.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 05 January 2013 1305 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines has asked its captains to volunteer for unpaid leave amid a global economic slowdown that has dented long-haul travel demand, the airline said Saturday.
The move came nearly a year after the company -- considered a bellwether for the full-service airline industry -- made a similar offer to its first officers.
The airline has also frozen its intake of cadet pilots as part of a slew of cost-cutting measures.
"Singapore Airlines (SIA) began offering voluntary no-pay leave to first officers in March last year and subsequently to captains who expressed interest," company spokesman Nicholas Ionides said in a statement emailed to AFP.
SIA has "a temporary surplus of pilots and are managing it through this scheme, which is entirely voluntary", Ionides said.
He added that "the surplus of captains is limited and we regard it as temporary".
SIA has more than 2,400 pilots -- mostly captains and first officers.
The global financial crisis had led to excess capacity and slower growth that anticipated, Ionides said.
"This voluntary scheme will enable us to address the short-term surplus, while at the same time provide staff with the opportunity to take leave for personal reasons should they wish to do so," he said.
SIA saw its net profit in the first-half of the current fiscal year ending March fall by 30 per cent year-on-year, weighed down by high fuel prices and weak demand in the travel and cargo markets.
This followed a 69 per cent plunge in net profit in the carrier's financial year ended March 2012.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, December 24, 2012
Rent in Orchard Rd prime areas down 0.28% in Q4
Rent in Orchard Rd prime areas down 0.28% in Q4
By Lip Kwok Wai, Alice Chia | Posted: 22 December 2012 2141 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prime area rent for shopping malls and retailers in Orchard Road inched down 0.28 per cent this quarter, compared to the previous quarter.
In a report by Savills World Research, average monthly rent in prime areas in Orchard Road were S$35.1 per square foot in the fourth quarter.
This is a slight drop from the S$35.2 per square foot in Q3.
Analysts felt that this is due to adjustments in the market, as rent in the area were growing too fast previously.
Alan Cheong, director of Savills Research said the fall could be due to over-expecting the level of tourism in Singapore.
He said: "While (tourism) did increase, apparently the spending power did not quite live up to its expectation. Rent and performance in the Orchard Road belt will be dependent on tourism trade and on the state of the economy."
More retail spaces will also be available soon.
Recently, Plaza Singapura completed its expansion works, providing 80 more shops.
A larger scale development, Orchard Gateway, will provide 180,000 square feet of retail space next year.
Analysts also say that a gloomy economic outlook ahead could also see rent fall by up to 3 per cent, and if economic growth slows, people will spend less.
Retailers may then take a hit, in turn exerting a downward pressure on rent.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Lip Kwok Wai, Alice Chia | Posted: 22 December 2012 2141 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prime area rent for shopping malls and retailers in Orchard Road inched down 0.28 per cent this quarter, compared to the previous quarter.
In a report by Savills World Research, average monthly rent in prime areas in Orchard Road were S$35.1 per square foot in the fourth quarter.
This is a slight drop from the S$35.2 per square foot in Q3.
Analysts felt that this is due to adjustments in the market, as rent in the area were growing too fast previously.
Alan Cheong, director of Savills Research said the fall could be due to over-expecting the level of tourism in Singapore.
He said: "While (tourism) did increase, apparently the spending power did not quite live up to its expectation. Rent and performance in the Orchard Road belt will be dependent on tourism trade and on the state of the economy."
More retail spaces will also be available soon.
Recently, Plaza Singapura completed its expansion works, providing 80 more shops.
A larger scale development, Orchard Gateway, will provide 180,000 square feet of retail space next year.
Analysts also say that a gloomy economic outlook ahead could also see rent fall by up to 3 per cent, and if economic growth slows, people will spend less.
Retailers may then take a hit, in turn exerting a downward pressure on rent.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Great balls of China to defend against 'apocalypse'
Great balls of China to defend against 'apocalypse'
Posted: 13 December 2012 1513 hrs
QIANTUN: As people across the globe tremble in anticipation of next week's supposed Mayan-predicted apocalypse, one Chinese villager says he may have just what humanity needs: tsunami-proof survival pods.
Camouflage-clad former farmer and furniture maker Liu Qiyuan, 45, inspected his latest creation, a sphere several metres tall he calls "Noah's Ark", designed to withstand towering tsunamis and devastating earthquakes.
"The pod won't have any problems even if there are 1,000-metre-high waves... it's like a ping pong ball, its skin may be thin, but it can withstand a lot of pressure," he told AFP at his workshop in Qiantun, an hour from Beijing.
Liu's seven completed or under-construction pods, made using a fibreglass casing over a steel frame, have cost him 300,000 yuan (approximately S$58,720) each, he says, and are equipped with oxygen tanks, food and water supplies.
They also come with seat belts, essential for staying safe in storms, Liu said, strapping himself into position before his assistants shook the sphere vigorously from outside.
"The pods are designed to carry 14 people at a time, but it's possible for 30 people to survive inside for at least two months," he said.
Their insulation was such that "a person could live for four months in the pod at the North or South Pole without freezing, or even feeling slightly cold," he said.
One of the spheres even boasts the domestic comforts of a table, bed and flowery wallpaper.
Liu claims he came up with the design after watching the 2009 Hollywood disaster film "2012", which is inspired by the expiry on December 21 of the Mayan Long Count, a more than 5,000 year calendar used by the ancient Central American civilisation.
"If there really is some kind of apocalypse, then you could say I've made a contribution to the survival of humanity," Liu said.
Apocalyptic predictions have provoked widespread fears among believers, including in China, where two rural counties sold out of candles this month after a panic that three days of darkness would begin on Dec 21, the Xinhua news agency reported.
A businessman in China's eastern Zhejiang province has received 21 orders for bright yellow doomsday survival pods also sold as "Noah's Ark," for five million yuan each, the state run China Daily reported.
A man from China's north-western province of Xinjiang told AFP that he has invested all his savings, approximately $160,000, to build a survival ark, fearing that his home will be engulfed in a doomsday flood.
Chinese authorities have sought to reassure citizens, with Beijing's police force publishing an online notice on Wednesday stating that "the so-called end of the world is a rumour", and advising citizens to use "scientific concepts".
Liu first conceived of spherical houses to withstand earthquakes, which occur frequently in China, but switched his focus to survival technology after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed nearly a quarter of a million lives.
Liu, who is married with a daughter, said many were sceptical when he first outlined his plans. But despite building them he has not sold any, and is worried about repaying loans he took from neighbours and friends to fund his workshop.
"I worked for many years without saving much money... I invested most of my money in the pods, because it's worth it, it's about saving lives" he said.
Keen to demonstrate the design's strength to AFP, he used a step-ladder to clamber inside one pod before an assistant reversed a pick-up truck into it, inflicting only a minor scratch on its surface.
Peeking out of the hatch, he grinned triumphantly.
"No problem," he said, "I didn't feel a thing.
-AFP/fl
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 13 December 2012 1513 hrs
QIANTUN: As people across the globe tremble in anticipation of next week's supposed Mayan-predicted apocalypse, one Chinese villager says he may have just what humanity needs: tsunami-proof survival pods.
Camouflage-clad former farmer and furniture maker Liu Qiyuan, 45, inspected his latest creation, a sphere several metres tall he calls "Noah's Ark", designed to withstand towering tsunamis and devastating earthquakes.
"The pod won't have any problems even if there are 1,000-metre-high waves... it's like a ping pong ball, its skin may be thin, but it can withstand a lot of pressure," he told AFP at his workshop in Qiantun, an hour from Beijing.
Liu's seven completed or under-construction pods, made using a fibreglass casing over a steel frame, have cost him 300,000 yuan (approximately S$58,720) each, he says, and are equipped with oxygen tanks, food and water supplies.
They also come with seat belts, essential for staying safe in storms, Liu said, strapping himself into position before his assistants shook the sphere vigorously from outside.
"The pods are designed to carry 14 people at a time, but it's possible for 30 people to survive inside for at least two months," he said.
Their insulation was such that "a person could live for four months in the pod at the North or South Pole without freezing, or even feeling slightly cold," he said.
One of the spheres even boasts the domestic comforts of a table, bed and flowery wallpaper.
Liu claims he came up with the design after watching the 2009 Hollywood disaster film "2012", which is inspired by the expiry on December 21 of the Mayan Long Count, a more than 5,000 year calendar used by the ancient Central American civilisation.
"If there really is some kind of apocalypse, then you could say I've made a contribution to the survival of humanity," Liu said.
Apocalyptic predictions have provoked widespread fears among believers, including in China, where two rural counties sold out of candles this month after a panic that three days of darkness would begin on Dec 21, the Xinhua news agency reported.
A businessman in China's eastern Zhejiang province has received 21 orders for bright yellow doomsday survival pods also sold as "Noah's Ark," for five million yuan each, the state run China Daily reported.
A man from China's north-western province of Xinjiang told AFP that he has invested all his savings, approximately $160,000, to build a survival ark, fearing that his home will be engulfed in a doomsday flood.
Chinese authorities have sought to reassure citizens, with Beijing's police force publishing an online notice on Wednesday stating that "the so-called end of the world is a rumour", and advising citizens to use "scientific concepts".
Liu first conceived of spherical houses to withstand earthquakes, which occur frequently in China, but switched his focus to survival technology after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed nearly a quarter of a million lives.
Liu, who is married with a daughter, said many were sceptical when he first outlined his plans. But despite building them he has not sold any, and is worried about repaying loans he took from neighbours and friends to fund his workshop.
"I worked for many years without saving much money... I invested most of my money in the pods, because it's worth it, it's about saving lives" he said.
Keen to demonstrate the design's strength to AFP, he used a step-ladder to clamber inside one pod before an assistant reversed a pick-up truck into it, inflicting only a minor scratch on its surface.
Peeking out of the hatch, he grinned triumphantly.
"No problem," he said, "I didn't feel a thing.
-AFP/fl
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Pay increment, bonus for 2013 expected to dip: report
Pay increment, bonus for 2013 expected to dip: report
By Imelda Saad, Dylan Loh | Posted: 10 December 2012 1702 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global consulting firm Hay Group has predicted cautious pay rises for Singaporean workers as 2012 comes to a close.
In its latest report, the group said pay increases and bonuses for next year are expected to slide.
Hay Group said salary increases averaged 4.6 per cent this year - slightly higher than the 4.4 per cent in 2011. But pay increases for next year are expected to dip 0.2 percentage points back to 4.4 per cent.
The Singapore Human Resources Institute agreed, saying increments will hover around 4 per cent.
The Institute expects the manufacturing, construction and logistics sectors to face a tighter squeeze.
The Institute's executive director, David Ang, said: "For those company who are not doing well, and it's sort of breaking even.
"I think the important thing is to inform the workers on the prospect of their business and at the same time collectively bite the bullets to hope for better times to come."
As for bonuses, the actual average variable bonus this year is said to be 2.6 months. For next year, it is expected to dip slightly to 2.5 months.
The Hay Group said hiring seems to have picked up in Singapore, despite the continuing uncertainty in the global economy.
Fifty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they are planning to increase staffing levels, compared to 50 per cent this time, last year.
But economist Dr Tan Khay Boon from SIM Global Education said this does not mean firms will splurge on hiring.
Dr Tan said: "The company want to meet the demand for the customers and therefore they need more workers to help them out in the operations. But, they are also very careful about the bottom-line.
"That's why they prefer to hire the worker at the same cost or better still, at the lower cost instead of expanding the cost to get the workers."
Leading the hiring outlook in the survey are the engineering (33 per cent), sales (29 per cent) and financial (21 per cent) sectors.
Turning to the region, the Hay group said high-growth Asian economies like China, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines can expect significant pay rises in 2013.
The survey, conducted in September, covered over 500 Singapore-based companies from both the private and public sectors.
They were polled on their business sentiments and salary and bonus projections for the next 12 months.
- CNA/ck/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Imelda Saad, Dylan Loh | Posted: 10 December 2012 1702 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global consulting firm Hay Group has predicted cautious pay rises for Singaporean workers as 2012 comes to a close.
In its latest report, the group said pay increases and bonuses for next year are expected to slide.
Hay Group said salary increases averaged 4.6 per cent this year - slightly higher than the 4.4 per cent in 2011. But pay increases for next year are expected to dip 0.2 percentage points back to 4.4 per cent.
The Singapore Human Resources Institute agreed, saying increments will hover around 4 per cent.
The Institute expects the manufacturing, construction and logistics sectors to face a tighter squeeze.
The Institute's executive director, David Ang, said: "For those company who are not doing well, and it's sort of breaking even.
"I think the important thing is to inform the workers on the prospect of their business and at the same time collectively bite the bullets to hope for better times to come."
As for bonuses, the actual average variable bonus this year is said to be 2.6 months. For next year, it is expected to dip slightly to 2.5 months.
The Hay Group said hiring seems to have picked up in Singapore, despite the continuing uncertainty in the global economy.
Fifty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they are planning to increase staffing levels, compared to 50 per cent this time, last year.
But economist Dr Tan Khay Boon from SIM Global Education said this does not mean firms will splurge on hiring.
Dr Tan said: "The company want to meet the demand for the customers and therefore they need more workers to help them out in the operations. But, they are also very careful about the bottom-line.
"That's why they prefer to hire the worker at the same cost or better still, at the lower cost instead of expanding the cost to get the workers."
Leading the hiring outlook in the survey are the engineering (33 per cent), sales (29 per cent) and financial (21 per cent) sectors.
Turning to the region, the Hay group said high-growth Asian economies like China, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines can expect significant pay rises in 2013.
The survey, conducted in September, covered over 500 Singapore-based companies from both the private and public sectors.
They were polled on their business sentiments and salary and bonus projections for the next 12 months.
- CNA/ck/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
HK unionists protest outside S'pore consulate over bus strike clampdown
HK unionists protest outside S'pore consulate over bus strike clampdown
By Roland Lim | Posted: 05 December 2012 1809 hrs
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's trade union body held a protest at the Singapore Consulate on Wednesday as a show of solidarity with the Chinese mainland bus drivers who held illegal strikes in Singapore on 26 and 27 November.
About 20 members of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions called on the Singapore government to reinstate the 29 drivers who were repatriated and to drop the charges for the five who are detained.
Scuffles broke out between the protesters, building security personnel, and police when protesters were prevented from accessing the 9th floor Consulate office at Admiralty Centre to submit their petition letter.
The protesters were eventually granted access after a short stand-off.
The labour group said that Singapore did not respect international labour standards that allow workers to strike and called for equal remuneration for migrant workers.
SMRT bus drivers from China in strikes on 26 and 27 November protested for pay equal to that of their Malaysian counterparts, and for better housing conditions.
The Singapore government subsequently called the strike an "illegal strike" as 14 days' notice was not given to their employer.
This is mandatory under Singapore law for workers providing an "essential service".
29 drivers were eventually repatriated while five were detained by the police. One has been sentenced to six weeks' jail.
"Chinese workers, being migrant workers, feel aggrieved and may not know all the avenues that are available to them," said Lee Cheuk-Yan, general secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions.
"So it is a matter of information for migrant workers, and also a matter for the Singapore government to review the law and support for migrant workers instead of jailing them," he added.
The protesters also called on the Singapore government to amend the law stipulating that workers providing essential services need to give 14 days' advanced notice before striking.
A statement issued by Singapore's National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in response to the protest said that both local and migrant workers in Singapore have a right under Singapore's labour legislation to take industrial action or go on strike.
It said workers can do so if they follow the laws in Singapore.
NTUC said it had conveyed its position to the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions on two occasions, once on 30 November before the protest and once on Wednesday afternoon.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Roland Lim | Posted: 05 December 2012 1809 hrs
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's trade union body held a protest at the Singapore Consulate on Wednesday as a show of solidarity with the Chinese mainland bus drivers who held illegal strikes in Singapore on 26 and 27 November.
About 20 members of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions called on the Singapore government to reinstate the 29 drivers who were repatriated and to drop the charges for the five who are detained.
Scuffles broke out between the protesters, building security personnel, and police when protesters were prevented from accessing the 9th floor Consulate office at Admiralty Centre to submit their petition letter.
The protesters were eventually granted access after a short stand-off.
The labour group said that Singapore did not respect international labour standards that allow workers to strike and called for equal remuneration for migrant workers.
SMRT bus drivers from China in strikes on 26 and 27 November protested for pay equal to that of their Malaysian counterparts, and for better housing conditions.
The Singapore government subsequently called the strike an "illegal strike" as 14 days' notice was not given to their employer.
This is mandatory under Singapore law for workers providing an "essential service".
29 drivers were eventually repatriated while five were detained by the police. One has been sentenced to six weeks' jail.
"Chinese workers, being migrant workers, feel aggrieved and may not know all the avenues that are available to them," said Lee Cheuk-Yan, general secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions.
"So it is a matter of information for migrant workers, and also a matter for the Singapore government to review the law and support for migrant workers instead of jailing them," he added.
The protesters also called on the Singapore government to amend the law stipulating that workers providing essential services need to give 14 days' advanced notice before striking.
A statement issued by Singapore's National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in response to the protest said that both local and migrant workers in Singapore have a right under Singapore's labour legislation to take industrial action or go on strike.
It said workers can do so if they follow the laws in Singapore.
NTUC said it had conveyed its position to the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions on two occasions, once on 30 November before the protest and once on Wednesday afternoon.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
4 ex-SMRT bus drivers from China charged with instigating strike granted bail
4 ex-SMRT bus drivers from China charged with instigating strike granted bail
By Alice Chia | Posted: 06 December 2012 1232 hrs
SINGAPORE: The four ex-SMRT drivers from China who have been charged with instigating an illegal strike have been granted bail on Thursday.
He Jun Ling, who faces two charges of inciting SMRT drivers to take part in the strike on 26 and 27 November, was granted bail of S$20,000. His passport will have to be impounded.
According to court documents, He, 32, also made an online post about the strike on Chinese website Baidu, allegedly asking other workers to go on MC together.
Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Wang Xian Jie, 39 and Liu Xiang Ying, 33, were granted bail of S$10,000 each. Their passports will have to be impounded.
In response to a question from District Judge May Lucius Mesenas, the four accused said they're not able to raise the money.
Two officials from the Chinese embassy were present in court.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
By Alice Chia | Posted: 06 December 2012 1232 hrs
SINGAPORE: The four ex-SMRT drivers from China who have been charged with instigating an illegal strike have been granted bail on Thursday.
He Jun Ling, who faces two charges of inciting SMRT drivers to take part in the strike on 26 and 27 November, was granted bail of S$20,000. His passport will have to be impounded.
According to court documents, He, 32, also made an online post about the strike on Chinese website Baidu, allegedly asking other workers to go on MC together.
Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Wang Xian Jie, 39 and Liu Xiang Ying, 33, were granted bail of S$10,000 each. Their passports will have to be impounded.
In response to a question from District Judge May Lucius Mesenas, the four accused said they're not able to raise the money.
Two officials from the Chinese embassy were present in court.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Most Singaporeans support punishment for SMRT drivers: poll
Most Singaporeans support punishment for SMRT drivers: poll
By Sharon See | Posted: 04 December 2012 1514 hrs
SINGAPORE: A poll has shown that 56 per cent agreed with the way the government has taken time to ascertain the facts before labelling the action as an illegal strike.
The government's feedback channel REACH conducted a snap poll to find out how Singaporeans felt about the illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China on 26 and 27 November.
It also found that nearly eight in 10 Singaporeans agreed that the bus drivers should be punished fully if they have breached Singapore laws.
Many Singaporeans seemed to be aware of the illegal strike with an average of 85 per cent of respondents indicating awareness.
REACH polled 313 Singaporeans who are 15 years old and above between 30 November and 2 December.
56 per cent agreed with the government for taking time to ascertain the facts before labelling the action as an illegal strike.
76 per cent felt the government had acted swiftly in bringing the situation under control.
Channel NewsAsia spoke to several commuters who also echoed these views.
Chow Yit Mei, a teacher, said: ""Given the time they need to take into consideration what went on, they need to go through the processes, I think the time given that they have acted was quite swift."
Jayson Khong, an engineer, said: "Regardless of whether they are from China or other nationalities, they have to abide by the laws. Any concern, I believe that they should not just go on strike, but consult with the management. I believe the government has handled the issue quite professionally, in that they have taken action and they have gone through the rightful procedure."
Mohd Amin, People's Association staff, RC Manager, said: "We being a law-abiding nation, so anything out of the law, you have to face the consequences."
The media in China had reported that Singaporeans felt sympathetic towards the drivers after details about their salary came to light.
But an average of 74 per cent of those polled felt the bus drivers from China should have gone through the proper channels to air their grievances.
Commuters also felt that SMRT could have done more.
And this was also reflected in the poll in which 76 per cent agree that while the drivers were in the wrong to have staged a strike, SMRT should bear some responsibility as it did not manage the grievances of the drivers well.
Anne Lim, a consultant, said: "They are complaining about the dormitory, the places they are living in, not in a good condition. They should look into that."
R Partipan, a freelancer, said: "They should have laid out their cards well before recruiting them and should have told them about the pay scale between Singaporean drivers, Malaysian drivers and China drivers."
In response to the poll findings, SMRT acknowledged the need to improve its management and communication efforts to be more attuned to the needs of its drivers.
The company said since the incident, it has beefed up its engagement efforts through hotlines and having representatives on the ground.
- CNA/ck/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Sharon See | Posted: 04 December 2012 1514 hrs
SINGAPORE: A poll has shown that 56 per cent agreed with the way the government has taken time to ascertain the facts before labelling the action as an illegal strike.
The government's feedback channel REACH conducted a snap poll to find out how Singaporeans felt about the illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China on 26 and 27 November.
It also found that nearly eight in 10 Singaporeans agreed that the bus drivers should be punished fully if they have breached Singapore laws.
Many Singaporeans seemed to be aware of the illegal strike with an average of 85 per cent of respondents indicating awareness.
REACH polled 313 Singaporeans who are 15 years old and above between 30 November and 2 December.
56 per cent agreed with the government for taking time to ascertain the facts before labelling the action as an illegal strike.
76 per cent felt the government had acted swiftly in bringing the situation under control.
Channel NewsAsia spoke to several commuters who also echoed these views.
Chow Yit Mei, a teacher, said: ""Given the time they need to take into consideration what went on, they need to go through the processes, I think the time given that they have acted was quite swift."
Jayson Khong, an engineer, said: "Regardless of whether they are from China or other nationalities, they have to abide by the laws. Any concern, I believe that they should not just go on strike, but consult with the management. I believe the government has handled the issue quite professionally, in that they have taken action and they have gone through the rightful procedure."
Mohd Amin, People's Association staff, RC Manager, said: "We being a law-abiding nation, so anything out of the law, you have to face the consequences."
The media in China had reported that Singaporeans felt sympathetic towards the drivers after details about their salary came to light.
But an average of 74 per cent of those polled felt the bus drivers from China should have gone through the proper channels to air their grievances.
Commuters also felt that SMRT could have done more.
And this was also reflected in the poll in which 76 per cent agree that while the drivers were in the wrong to have staged a strike, SMRT should bear some responsibility as it did not manage the grievances of the drivers well.
Anne Lim, a consultant, said: "They are complaining about the dormitory, the places they are living in, not in a good condition. They should look into that."
R Partipan, a freelancer, said: "They should have laid out their cards well before recruiting them and should have told them about the pay scale between Singaporean drivers, Malaysian drivers and China drivers."
In response to the poll findings, SMRT acknowledged the need to improve its management and communication efforts to be more attuned to the needs of its drivers.
The company said since the incident, it has beefed up its engagement efforts through hotlines and having representatives on the ground.
- CNA/ck/de
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
SMRT：中国司机获调薪 基薪千一元
新闻视频
SMRT管理层星期一与中国籍司机举行对话会，宣布他们的起薪调整到1100元。SMRT强调，上调25元薪金原本就在计划中，原定这个月向员工宣布消息，这项举措不是受非法罢工的影响。公司也考虑允许司机把年假折换成现金。
SMRT在对话会上，向中国籍司机解释了长期和短期雇佣合约在薪金上的差异。总裁郭木财指出，公司每月承担中国籍司机近300元的交通、住宿和水电费，同没有获住宿安排的马来西亚籍车长、薪金相等，条件是公平的。
SMRT解释，公司无需为合约员工加薪，但为跟进市场标准，公司还是调整了司机的薪金。7月前加入的车长都获得75元加薪。公司也准备在11月中旬，上调多25元，并且让这项调整追溯到7月起生效。
也就是说，今年7月起，中国籍车长的薪金上调了100元。而加上多数中国籍司机，每月平均加班60个小时，总收入可达1800元。
郭木财承诺改善沟通，加强同员工的互动，确保住宿条件获改善。针对宿舍和车厂距离太远，因轮班不同而干扰其他房客的休息等课题，SMRT将在物色新住宿环境时，一并考虑在内。
另外，兀兰巴士转换站，星期一运作如常。早上尖峰时段，由SMRT经营的巴士路线，候车时间似乎不受车长人数减少所影响。
一司机认罪监六周 被告庭上洒泪向各造致歉
在另一边厢，一名SMRT中国籍巴士司机今天面控。他承认非法罢工，被判坐牢六个星期。现年38岁的包锋善，被控在上星期一参与非法罢工表示认罪。他是五名被控中国籍巴士司机中，第一个认罪的司机。
控状指他在上星期一清晨6点至7点间，在兀兰宿舍参与罢工，控方以华语念出控状。育有一名女儿的被告没有聘请律师，他承认罢工带来负面影响，并通过通译员深表忏悔，还含泪向新加坡政府、SMRT及他的家人道歉。
被告被指在11月26日拒绝上班，而事前并没有表明有意要在26日和27日罢工。控方指出被告虽然不是罢工煽动者，但也并非只是一个被动的参与者。法官强调，被告的行动妨碍了交通服务。
尽管在SMRT和人力部的劝导下，被告隔天还是没有回到工作岗位，他还发出威胁的言论，警告如果诉求未获得回应，将进一步罢工。不过，对于被告求情从轻发落，法官给予确认，因被告在面控后就深表悔意并认罪。被告自2008年就开始为SMRT服务。
其他四名涉嫌教唆非法罢工的中国籍巴士司机，已经在上星期四被控。
- wong chee tat :)
SMRT says no further adjustments of pay for China bus drivers
SMRT says no further adjustments of pay for China bus drivers
By Sharon See | Posted: 03 December 2012 1854 hrs
SINGAPORE: SMRT will not make further adjustments to the salaries of its drivers from China, despite an illegal strike last week over pay and living conditions.
But the company will look into the possibility of allowing its drivers to encash their unused leave.
This was the decision communicated to drivers by SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek at a townhall meeting on Monday morning.
Describing what has been a difficult week for everyone in SMRT, Mr Kuek said the management team is surprised and saddened that the situation had reached the point of an illegal strike.
He stressed that the existing compensation and contract terms are fair.
He also said SMRT reviews the salaries of its drivers regularly to keep pace with the market.
This year, it raised the starting pay of those who joined before July by $75, even though there's no contractual obligation to do so for short-term contract workers.
In mid-November, it decided on a second increment of $25 to their basic salary out of goodwill, backdated to July.
This is being communicated to the drivers and will be implemented in December.
Mr Kuek said the full monthly increase in salary from July 2012 would therefore be $100, and this will be implemented as planned.
With these increments, their starting pay is now $1,100.
He stressed that the remuneration package is fair and equitable, including transport, accommodation and utilities amounting to about $275 borne by the company.
Drivers from Malaysia, said Mr Kuek, are not provided accommodation by the company.
With many drivers clocking an average of 60 hours in overtime a month, their gross pay can reach $1,800 or more.
Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, told Channel NewsAsia he agreed with SMRT's decision not to raise the pay of drivers from China.
Mr Lim said: "What the CEO has done is the right thing. From the perspective of the employee, if you feel that your salary is not right, you should actually speak to your employers about it. And if at the end of the day, employers are not prepared to increase the salary, you should then look for other employment.
"I think it is also a wrong signal to send if the company adjusts its salary upwards because of actions by employees to force their opinion on their employer to make adjustments to the salary."
Mr Lim said many drivers from China came to Singapore initially satisfied with their salary, and that it is not right for them to compare with their colleagues later and demand a change in the terms of employment.
"When you take up an employment with any company, you don't know what your future colleagues will be earning. You look at what you're offered, and you ask yourself, am I happy with this salary that I'm getting. If you say "yes", then you go in with your eyes open that this is the salary you take when you start work," he said.
Addressing complaints from some drivers about misrepresentation by agents in China who had hired them, Mr Kuek said SMRT will raise this matter with the relevant agencies to investigate further.
He also urged drivers to use the right and proper channels of communication and feedback to voice their unhappiness.
SMRT, he said, acknowledged that its managers and supervisors down the line could have been more sensitive and responsive to the needs of drivers.
It will address this shortcoming with priority and is strengthening its staff communications and engagement.
Turning to the living conditions of the drivers, Mr Kuek said he visited the drivers' rooms and surroundings recently and agreed with them that things can be improved.
As for bed bugs, the dormitory rooms were fumigated last month and again last week.
Mr Kuek said this appears to be a more persistent problem and SMRT will continue to monitor and act on this.
The Singapore Human Resources Institute said companies that employ a large number of foreign workers can do more to ease them into life in Singapore, such as through induction programmes and English lessons.
Mr David Ang, Executive Director of Singapore Human Resources Institute, said: "It is also very important that companies also explain to them that if you are working in the industry which is very important to the public, such as the essential services, then the rules and regulations as well as the law governing work in a company that is providing essential services should be explained to them."
Mr Ang added that companies' communications plan should not only include employment terms and the law, it should also explain their pay structure.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Sharon See | Posted: 03 December 2012 1854 hrs
SINGAPORE: SMRT will not make further adjustments to the salaries of its drivers from China, despite an illegal strike last week over pay and living conditions.
But the company will look into the possibility of allowing its drivers to encash their unused leave.
This was the decision communicated to drivers by SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek at a townhall meeting on Monday morning.
Describing what has been a difficult week for everyone in SMRT, Mr Kuek said the management team is surprised and saddened that the situation had reached the point of an illegal strike.
He stressed that the existing compensation and contract terms are fair.
He also said SMRT reviews the salaries of its drivers regularly to keep pace with the market.
This year, it raised the starting pay of those who joined before July by $75, even though there's no contractual obligation to do so for short-term contract workers.
In mid-November, it decided on a second increment of $25 to their basic salary out of goodwill, backdated to July.
This is being communicated to the drivers and will be implemented in December.
Mr Kuek said the full monthly increase in salary from July 2012 would therefore be $100, and this will be implemented as planned.
With these increments, their starting pay is now $1,100.
He stressed that the remuneration package is fair and equitable, including transport, accommodation and utilities amounting to about $275 borne by the company.
Drivers from Malaysia, said Mr Kuek, are not provided accommodation by the company.
With many drivers clocking an average of 60 hours in overtime a month, their gross pay can reach $1,800 or more.
Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, told Channel NewsAsia he agreed with SMRT's decision not to raise the pay of drivers from China.
Mr Lim said: "What the CEO has done is the right thing. From the perspective of the employee, if you feel that your salary is not right, you should actually speak to your employers about it. And if at the end of the day, employers are not prepared to increase the salary, you should then look for other employment.
"I think it is also a wrong signal to send if the company adjusts its salary upwards because of actions by employees to force their opinion on their employer to make adjustments to the salary."
Mr Lim said many drivers from China came to Singapore initially satisfied with their salary, and that it is not right for them to compare with their colleagues later and demand a change in the terms of employment.
"When you take up an employment with any company, you don't know what your future colleagues will be earning. You look at what you're offered, and you ask yourself, am I happy with this salary that I'm getting. If you say "yes", then you go in with your eyes open that this is the salary you take when you start work," he said.
Addressing complaints from some drivers about misrepresentation by agents in China who had hired them, Mr Kuek said SMRT will raise this matter with the relevant agencies to investigate further.
He also urged drivers to use the right and proper channels of communication and feedback to voice their unhappiness.
SMRT, he said, acknowledged that its managers and supervisors down the line could have been more sensitive and responsive to the needs of drivers.
It will address this shortcoming with priority and is strengthening its staff communications and engagement.
Turning to the living conditions of the drivers, Mr Kuek said he visited the drivers' rooms and surroundings recently and agreed with them that things can be improved.
As for bed bugs, the dormitory rooms were fumigated last month and again last week.
Mr Kuek said this appears to be a more persistent problem and SMRT will continue to monitor and act on this.
The Singapore Human Resources Institute said companies that employ a large number of foreign workers can do more to ease them into life in Singapore, such as through induction programmes and English lessons.
Mr David Ang, Executive Director of Singapore Human Resources Institute, said: "It is also very important that companies also explain to them that if you are working in the industry which is very important to the public, such as the essential services, then the rules and regulations as well as the law governing work in a company that is providing essential services should be explained to them."
Mr Ang added that companies' communications plan should not only include employment terms and the law, it should also explain their pay structure.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, December 3, 2012
6 weeks' jail for SMRT bus driver involved in strike
6 weeks' jail for SMRT bus driver involved in strike
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 03 December 2012 1226 hrs
SINGAPORE: A SMRT bus driver from China has been sentenced to six weeks' jail for taking part in an illegal strike.
Bao Feng Shan, 38, admitted that he committed the offence on 26 November.
He appeared grim in court on Monday, as the charge was read out to him in Mandarin, accusing him of "commencing" the strike between 6am and 7am on 26 November at Woodlands Dormitory.
Bao, who did not engage a lawyer, acknowledged the "adverse effects" of the strike.
Speaking through a court interpreter, he said he was "deeply remorseful and apologetic".
Bao, who teared several times, also apologised to the government of Singapore, SMRT and his family.
He said a jail sentence would have adverse effects on his eight-year-old daughter.
Bao was deployed to Kranji Depot to drive Service 106 at the time of the offence.
The tall and bespectacled man had been working for SMRT since 2008.
Some time between 6am and 7am on 26 November, he joined many drivers in refusing to go to work.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Peggy Pao told the court that Bao was not happy that he was not entitled to the same year-end bonuses and increments as his Malaysian counterparts.
He did not give notice of his intention to strike on 26 and 27 November.
The court heard that Bao did not start the strike, but took on a participatory role.
But DPP Pao pointed out that although Bao was not charged as an instigator, he was "far from a mere passive participant".
She acknowledged that there may have been "a genuine sense of frustration" but stressed that there was no justification to resort to a strike.
The DPP had pushed for a deterrent sentence of six weeks' jail, on the grounds of the "considerable public disquiet" caused by the strike.
She said a lenient approach may encourage others to think that they can commit similar offences and "conveniently express remorse to escape custodial sentence".
She stressed that the illegal strike was not a case of a few workers refraining from work but was a large-scale organised effort to use illegal means to coerce the management of SMRT into giving in to the workers' demands.
During sentencing, Senior District Judge See Kee Oon highlighted an aggravating factor - that the act was calculated to cause obstruction and inconvenience to transport services.
He noted that Bao did not return to work the next day, even though he was advised to do so by SMRT and the Ministry of Manpower.
He also made a number of threatening comments, warning of further strikes if the demands were not met.
The judge acknowledged Bao's plea of leniency, saying he showed remorse by pleading guilty right after he was charged.
But he agreed with the prosecution that deterrence must be a primary consideration and that a jail sentence was warranted.
He said while Bao may have been motivated by a sense of grievance, he went against the law.
Bao is the first of five SMRT drivers who have been charged to plead guilty.
Four other drivers were charged last Thursday with instigating the drivers to take part in the strike.
They are He Jun Ling (32), Gao Yue Qiang (32), Liu Xiangying (33), Wang Xianjie, (33).
One of them, He, faces an additional charge of making an online post about the strike.
The four are currently remanded at the Central Police Station.
SMRT said 171 bus drivers did not report for work on 26 November and 88 of them continued to stay away from work on 27 November.
Twenty-nine of them were sent back to China on Sunday.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 03 December 2012 1226 hrs
SINGAPORE: A SMRT bus driver from China has been sentenced to six weeks' jail for taking part in an illegal strike.
Bao Feng Shan, 38, admitted that he committed the offence on 26 November.
He appeared grim in court on Monday, as the charge was read out to him in Mandarin, accusing him of "commencing" the strike between 6am and 7am on 26 November at Woodlands Dormitory.
Bao, who did not engage a lawyer, acknowledged the "adverse effects" of the strike.
Speaking through a court interpreter, he said he was "deeply remorseful and apologetic".
Bao, who teared several times, also apologised to the government of Singapore, SMRT and his family.
He said a jail sentence would have adverse effects on his eight-year-old daughter.
Bao was deployed to Kranji Depot to drive Service 106 at the time of the offence.
The tall and bespectacled man had been working for SMRT since 2008.
Some time between 6am and 7am on 26 November, he joined many drivers in refusing to go to work.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Peggy Pao told the court that Bao was not happy that he was not entitled to the same year-end bonuses and increments as his Malaysian counterparts.
He did not give notice of his intention to strike on 26 and 27 November.
The court heard that Bao did not start the strike, but took on a participatory role.
But DPP Pao pointed out that although Bao was not charged as an instigator, he was "far from a mere passive participant".
She acknowledged that there may have been "a genuine sense of frustration" but stressed that there was no justification to resort to a strike.
The DPP had pushed for a deterrent sentence of six weeks' jail, on the grounds of the "considerable public disquiet" caused by the strike.
She said a lenient approach may encourage others to think that they can commit similar offences and "conveniently express remorse to escape custodial sentence".
She stressed that the illegal strike was not a case of a few workers refraining from work but was a large-scale organised effort to use illegal means to coerce the management of SMRT into giving in to the workers' demands.
During sentencing, Senior District Judge See Kee Oon highlighted an aggravating factor - that the act was calculated to cause obstruction and inconvenience to transport services.
He noted that Bao did not return to work the next day, even though he was advised to do so by SMRT and the Ministry of Manpower.
He also made a number of threatening comments, warning of further strikes if the demands were not met.
The judge acknowledged Bao's plea of leniency, saying he showed remorse by pleading guilty right after he was charged.
But he agreed with the prosecution that deterrence must be a primary consideration and that a jail sentence was warranted.
He said while Bao may have been motivated by a sense of grievance, he went against the law.
Bao is the first of five SMRT drivers who have been charged to plead guilty.
Four other drivers were charged last Thursday with instigating the drivers to take part in the strike.
They are He Jun Ling (32), Gao Yue Qiang (32), Liu Xiangying (33), Wang Xianjie, (33).
One of them, He, faces an additional charge of making an online post about the strike.
The four are currently remanded at the Central Police Station.
SMRT said 171 bus drivers did not report for work on 26 November and 88 of them continued to stay away from work on 27 November.
Twenty-nine of them were sent back to China on Sunday.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
29 ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in illegal strike sent back to China
29 ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in illegal strike sent back to China
Posted: 02 December 2012 1739 hrs
SINGAPORE: All 29 ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in an illegal strike over pay and living conditions on 26 and 27 November have been sent back to China.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said they were placed on flights between 12:15am and 4:35pm on Sunday.
MHA said they were cooperative and that the process took place without incident.
Officials from the Chinese embassy, as well as SMRT staff, assisted in the repatriation exercise.
The 29 drivers, who were rounded up on Saturday morning, were absent from work on one or both days of the illegal strike.
Their work permits were revoked.
Although some of them had medical certificates, the authorities said these drivers were recalcitrant and participated actively in the strike.
On Thursday, four other SMRT drivers from China were charged with instigating the strike.
A fifth driver will be charged in court on Monday.
Over 150 other drivers will be let off, with police warning letters.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 02 December 2012 1739 hrs
SINGAPORE: All 29 ex-SMRT bus drivers involved in an illegal strike over pay and living conditions on 26 and 27 November have been sent back to China.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said they were placed on flights between 12:15am and 4:35pm on Sunday.
MHA said they were cooperative and that the process took place without incident.
Officials from the Chinese embassy, as well as SMRT staff, assisted in the repatriation exercise.
The 29 drivers, who were rounded up on Saturday morning, were absent from work on one or both days of the illegal strike.
Their work permits were revoked.
Although some of them had medical certificates, the authorities said these drivers were recalcitrant and participated actively in the strike.
On Thursday, four other SMRT drivers from China were charged with instigating the strike.
A fifth driver will be charged in court on Monday.
Over 150 other drivers will be let off, with police warning letters.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, December 2, 2012
29 SMRT bus drivers' work permits revoked, will be repatriated
29 SMRT bus drivers' work permits revoked, will be repatriated
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 01 December 2012 1707 hrs
SINGAPORE: One more SMRT bus driver from China will be charged and another 29 sent back for their involvement in an illegal strike over their pay and living conditions earlier this week.
At a news conference on Saturday, the Manpower and Transport Ministries also took SMRT to task for lapses in its internal processes.
Despite the grievances raised by the bus drivers from China, the government reiterated that the workers had crossed the line and broken the law.
Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said: "We have been very deliberate and measured in our actions. The government has taken into account the roles that the bus drivers played in the strike action and also the recalcitrance of the bus drivers who had participated in the strike on the second day as well despite our efforts to persuade them to abort their plans and to return to work the following day."
Twenty-nine drivers were rounded up on Saturday morning and are now in custody. Their work permits have been revoked and they will be repatriated. They were absent from work on either or both days of the illegal strike on 26 and 27 November, without reason. Although some had medical certificates, authorities said these drivers were recalcitrant and participated actively in the strike.
The fifth person to be charged was said to be hostile and aggressive. On Thursday, four others have been charged with instigating the strike.
Over 150 other drivers will be let off. Police will issue warning letters to them and barring any new developments there should not be any further arrests or repatriation.
Mr Tan said the rest, who can continue working in Singapore, are said to have been coerced or threatened to join the strike.
There were strong words also for SMRT.
Mr Tan said the transport operator could have done better to manage the concerns of its workers. The incident he said was a timely reminder for employers to look into their obligations to workers.
He said: "SMRT must take steps to ensure that such severe breakdowns in labour relations should not happen again. We all know that there are statutory requirements that companies need to fulfil and these are expected of all companies but there are also many non-statutory practices which frankly any good company should fulfil as well and this includes how you manage your staff, employees, how you engage them and how you look after them, looking after their welfare and this includes both local and foreign employees and frankly it is common sense, companies are expected to do that.
"The issue is really why did this happen? Why was it allowed to fester? We do understand that the channels of communication are there. So the question is, did it filter upwards? Did it not filter upwards? And why not? And those are things we have to examine," Mr Tan said.
He acknowledged that one issue that needs to be looked into is the pay for bus drivers. The China workers are unhappy over their increment and remuneration compared to their colleagues from Malaysia.
Mr Tan added by and large, companies in Singapore do treat their workers well, be they locals or foreigners. But the government wants to promote better employment practices.
And given the shortfall of drivers, the Transport Ministry said commuters should expect some delays on certain routes.
Forty-five additional drivers will be mobilised within the week after they are trained and familiarised with routes and equipment. These drivers are on loan from the other transport operator SBS Transit and private bus operators.
Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo said SMRT has also recalled its off-duty drivers as well as training instructors to make up for the shortfall.
It will take SMRT another two to three months to recruit new drivers and train them.
The government has also called on Singaporeans to be circumspect in their response to the incident.
Ms Teo said: "I think it's fair to say that some drivers regretted their actions and also they have chosen to go back to work. So I think we should not cast doubts firstly on their competence and secondly on their willingness and commitment to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. I think anymore casting of aspersions on their willingness to do their job properly is not helpful.
"I think we want to encourage them to continue their conversation with management, resolve their differences. Most importantly, we want them to continue to put the safety of commuters as their first priority.
On whether the incident will affect bilateral relations with China, Mr Tan said this is not a bilateral issue but a case where the law is violated.
"It's important not to politicise the issues," he added.
The Manpower Ministry said it is in talks with the Chinese Embassy.
In a post on his Facebook page on Saturday, Mr Tan said: "There are many bus drivers, whether local or foreign, who continue to work hard, diligently and conscientiously discharging their duties every day bearing Singaporeans to and fro.
"All employees in Singapore, local or foreign, play an important role as responsible workers, as members of society, contributing in many ways which we often take for granted.
"So, while we may all have our individual perspectives on the incident, it is important for Singaporeans to be respectful in the way we respond. It would be remiss of us to just generalise about certain groups of people in a less than responsible way. We do need to respect those who continue to work hard to perform their duties."
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 01 December 2012 1707 hrs
SINGAPORE: One more SMRT bus driver from China will be charged and another 29 sent back for their involvement in an illegal strike over their pay and living conditions earlier this week.
At a news conference on Saturday, the Manpower and Transport Ministries also took SMRT to task for lapses in its internal processes.
Despite the grievances raised by the bus drivers from China, the government reiterated that the workers had crossed the line and broken the law.
Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said: "We have been very deliberate and measured in our actions. The government has taken into account the roles that the bus drivers played in the strike action and also the recalcitrance of the bus drivers who had participated in the strike on the second day as well despite our efforts to persuade them to abort their plans and to return to work the following day."
Twenty-nine drivers were rounded up on Saturday morning and are now in custody. Their work permits have been revoked and they will be repatriated. They were absent from work on either or both days of the illegal strike on 26 and 27 November, without reason. Although some had medical certificates, authorities said these drivers were recalcitrant and participated actively in the strike.
The fifth person to be charged was said to be hostile and aggressive. On Thursday, four others have been charged with instigating the strike.
Over 150 other drivers will be let off. Police will issue warning letters to them and barring any new developments there should not be any further arrests or repatriation.
Mr Tan said the rest, who can continue working in Singapore, are said to have been coerced or threatened to join the strike.
There were strong words also for SMRT.
Mr Tan said the transport operator could have done better to manage the concerns of its workers. The incident he said was a timely reminder for employers to look into their obligations to workers.
He said: "SMRT must take steps to ensure that such severe breakdowns in labour relations should not happen again. We all know that there are statutory requirements that companies need to fulfil and these are expected of all companies but there are also many non-statutory practices which frankly any good company should fulfil as well and this includes how you manage your staff, employees, how you engage them and how you look after them, looking after their welfare and this includes both local and foreign employees and frankly it is common sense, companies are expected to do that.
"The issue is really why did this happen? Why was it allowed to fester? We do understand that the channels of communication are there. So the question is, did it filter upwards? Did it not filter upwards? And why not? And those are things we have to examine," Mr Tan said.
He acknowledged that one issue that needs to be looked into is the pay for bus drivers. The China workers are unhappy over their increment and remuneration compared to their colleagues from Malaysia.
Mr Tan added by and large, companies in Singapore do treat their workers well, be they locals or foreigners. But the government wants to promote better employment practices.
And given the shortfall of drivers, the Transport Ministry said commuters should expect some delays on certain routes.
Forty-five additional drivers will be mobilised within the week after they are trained and familiarised with routes and equipment. These drivers are on loan from the other transport operator SBS Transit and private bus operators.
Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo said SMRT has also recalled its off-duty drivers as well as training instructors to make up for the shortfall.
It will take SMRT another two to three months to recruit new drivers and train them.
The government has also called on Singaporeans to be circumspect in their response to the incident.
Ms Teo said: "I think it's fair to say that some drivers regretted their actions and also they have chosen to go back to work. So I think we should not cast doubts firstly on their competence and secondly on their willingness and commitment to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. I think anymore casting of aspersions on their willingness to do their job properly is not helpful.
"I think we want to encourage them to continue their conversation with management, resolve their differences. Most importantly, we want them to continue to put the safety of commuters as their first priority.
On whether the incident will affect bilateral relations with China, Mr Tan said this is not a bilateral issue but a case where the law is violated.
"It's important not to politicise the issues," he added.
The Manpower Ministry said it is in talks with the Chinese Embassy.
In a post on his Facebook page on Saturday, Mr Tan said: "There are many bus drivers, whether local or foreign, who continue to work hard, diligently and conscientiously discharging their duties every day bearing Singaporeans to and fro.
"All employees in Singapore, local or foreign, play an important role as responsible workers, as members of society, contributing in many ways which we often take for granted.
"So, while we may all have our individual perspectives on the incident, it is important for Singaporeans to be respectful in the way we respond. It would be remiss of us to just generalise about certain groups of people in a less than responsible way. We do need to respect those who continue to work hard to perform their duties."
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
29 bus drivers who will be repatriated will be paid: SMRT
29 bus drivers who will be repatriated will be paid: SMRT
Posted: 01 December 2012 2156 hrs
SINGAPORE: Public transport operator SMRT said the 29 drivers who will be repatriated will be paid, before they leave the country. They will be given all salaries, all claims if any, and ex gratia bonuses on a pro-rated basis.
In its statement on Saturday evening, SMRT said there are valuable lessons learnt from this incident which are being addressed by the management.
SMRT said it needs to improve its management, communication and engagement efforts to be more proactive, responsible and sensitive to the needs of its drivers.
SMRT said: "We are determined to come out stronger from this episode. We want to thank all our drivers for continuing to work hard on the roads to serve our passengers, and we value their service to the company. We will continue to actively engage all drivers at all levels to address their concerns holistically, and work together to make the workplace a more conducive one for everybody."
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 01 December 2012 2156 hrs
SINGAPORE: Public transport operator SMRT said the 29 drivers who will be repatriated will be paid, before they leave the country. They will be given all salaries, all claims if any, and ex gratia bonuses on a pro-rated basis.
In its statement on Saturday evening, SMRT said there are valuable lessons learnt from this incident which are being addressed by the management.
SMRT said it needs to improve its management, communication and engagement efforts to be more proactive, responsible and sensitive to the needs of its drivers.
SMRT said: "We are determined to come out stronger from this episode. We want to thank all our drivers for continuing to work hard on the roads to serve our passengers, and we value their service to the company. We will continue to actively engage all drivers at all levels to address their concerns holistically, and work together to make the workplace a more conducive one for everybody."
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
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